As the slide titled “Best Editorial” came up on the projector screen, I smiled at Chaviva, a senior, who had been nominated for that category. “And the first honorable mention goes to Chaviva Freedman from Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway’s The Tattler!” We all cheered as she went up to the podium to accept her award from News 12’s anchor/reporter Danielle Campbell. The ceremony was off to a great start.

It was only a few minutes later that Gliboff, a junior, was congratulated for “Third Place Best News” article! Daniel Maron, the head of social media for The Tattler, followed Jonathan to the stage, and snapped his picture. He would definitely have some serious updating to do to our Facebook page, The HAFTR, after the ceremony!

As the slide for “Best Online Writing” came up on the screen, Mrs. Wolf turned to me, and gave me a reassuring nod. I knew that she had nominated me for something, but to be honest, I had no idea what. Well, there was no turning back then I heard: “The second place winner for best online writer is Dena Gershkovich from the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway’s The Tattler!”

Wait, what? How did that just happen? And did I hear him actually pronounce my last name right? Wow, that’s a first! As my Tattler teammates cheered me on, I started to make my way towards the stage to accept my award, feeling as if a can of butterflies had exploded inside of me. I was nervous and excited, but in a good kind of way. I alighted the stairs to the stage, and smiled with every step. Campbell congratulated me on my achievements while handing me a certificate. We posed for a photograph, and then I returned to my seat, feeling as if I had won the equivalent of an Academy Award.

There was still one more defining moment left — the award for “Best Online Newspaper.” My staffers and I all sat concentrated on the screen with our fingers crossed. We all wanted this tremendously. After the third place winner was announced, our nerves increased, but all of our eyes were still intently focused on the screen.